On June 4, 2011 WWW.TOPNEWS.US published an article by Jason Ramsey, “Food and Nutrition Care-For-Mothers-To-Be” about a recent study that reviews the importance of food and nutrition during pregnancy, with emphasis going to the placenta. In this particular study, a high-fat and oily diet was found to decrease blood flow of the mother to the placenta, damaging the placenta and risking fetal well being. A placenta which is not in optimal performance is closely related to all sorts of complications during pregnancy such as stillbirth, pre-term labor, and abnormal growth of the fetus. In this article it states that mothers should have a balanced diet, with no extra fat.
This study and article gives recognition to the placenta for its incredible, multifaceted life giving work during pregnancy and the effects of eating high fat, nutritionally empty foods. What pregnant women eat effects their placenta and thus effects their baby. Yet, the importance of healthy fat was not mentioned at all, which is crucial for a healthy placenta. Healthy fats such as monounsaturated fats (food source examples are olives, avocados, red meat) and polyunsaturated fats (such as fish oil, nuts, flaxseed) are necessary in helping the placenta and other tissues to grow, and positively effect the baby’s brain and eye development. Giving awareness to both mother, placenta and baby within, and seeing them all being nourished together with HEALTHY fat, rather than no extra fat, is incredibly vital. So Mamas, remember to Eat with joy as you choose balance in healthy fats and foods to support and grow that one and only precious placenta and baby!
P.S. Mamas, eating with nutritional mindfulness does not end when the baby is born- remember it is imperative for postpartum wellness and recovery to eat a balanced, nutritionally healthy diet!
By Elenya Grafals, CPM, LMT, and CPES
